July 21, 2010

Reporters Notebooks

Kris Knowlton, Lincoln Journal Star: Nebraska fans will have to spend
more time and money traveling to Big Ten games. Traveling by car to and
from each Big Ten city will mean an
extra 3,168 miles on the odometer — the equivalent of driving from
Seattle to Orlando. It adds up to about $425 in gas and an extra 51
hours, 8 minutes — two days — on the road.

Brian Grummell, FanHouse: According to multiple reports, Kyle Parker
will return to quarterback Clemson this fall after
failing to reach an exclusive baseball-only contract with the
Colorado Rockies.

Austin Ward, Knoxville News Sentinel: Nick Lamaison's brief and unsuccessful career at Tennessee ended in May, but the quarterback continues to be denied a release from his scholarship. Lamaison left Knoxville in May, and his former position coach at South Hills High in Walnut, Calif., is upset. "I understand, I get it, he played there and got a scholarship opportunity, there's a new coach and things didn't work out," Michael Owens said. "But I feel like they're just penalizing the kid."

Rick Scoppe, Jacksonville (N.C.) Daily News: Former Stanford, Notre Dame
and Washington coach Tyrone
Willingham said he is retired. "I've done 30 years of collegiate
and professional coaching. That's not a bad career. I think I've had
failures. I think I've had successes. I think I've been places that most
people will never go in life with my career. It's a good career."

Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times: A busy Tuesday at USC. Mike Garrett was ousted as athletic director after 17 years and replaced by former Trojan quarterback Pat Haden. The university also announced that it would return its copy of Reggie Bush's Heisman Trophy.

Kyle Ringo, Boulder Daily Camera: USC receiver Travon Patterson is said to be contemplating a transfer to Colorado for the fall semester. Plus, athletic director Mike Bohn, whose department operated on about $47 million last year, said strategic cuts will be made for the coming year.

Mike Herndon, Mobile Press-Register: Tuesday's revelation that Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus may have violated NCAA rules by attending an agent's party in South Beach earlier this summer throws a dark cloud over what should have been a triumphant return to Southeastern Conference media days for Nick Saban.

Darren Rovell, CNBC: Is the NCAA really boasting about agent regulation? Please. The NCAA has been inadequately monitoring agent conduct for a quarter of a century.

Matt James, Fresno Bee: Fresno State's Pat Hill has a new contract, but if he wants to stay until 2013, or beyond, a few things have to happen. First, he has to win the Western Athletic Conference title in 2011. Has to. Second, the defense has to play better. Third, his team needs a complete season, with one or two losses.

Tim Woods, Waco Tribune: John Morris, voice of the Baylor Bears, was recovering from injuries after being hit by a truck while riding his bicycle.

Dave Reardon, Honolulu Star-Advertiser: Hawaii's Board of Regents voted to charge each student $50 a semester to help balance the athletic budget. The charge will raise $2 million annually.

Jonathan Okanes, Oakland Tribune: Linebacker Chris Martin, the crown jewel of Cal's recruiting class this past spring, plans to transfer. He cited a need to leave the Bay Area to rid himself of "distractions."

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